LONDON and TEL AVIV -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet with his security cabinet on Thursday, an Israeli official said, as he considers plans to occupy the Gaza Strip despite international condemnation of the deteriorating humanitarian situation there.

International allies and families of hostages condemned Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to take control of Gaza City, with the British prime minister calling it “wrong.”

The Israeli Security Cabinet on Thursday proceeded with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to fully occupy Gaza City. The decision marks a significant escalation in Israel’s war with Hamas and could give way to the Israeli military’s possible occupation of the entire Gaza Strip,